It may be expensive to convert sewage into good quality water for agriculture but the Water Services Corporation has launched a pilot project in Għajnsielem to assess the costs involved, the Resources Ministry said.
By next year Malta is expected to have all its sewage treated before being discharged into the sea, however, for this water to be used by farmers a further investment is required to improve its quality.
The cost to improve water quality and to build a distribution infrastructure for farmers has always deterred government from investing in this alternative use of treated sewage.
However, the draft water policy published last week reiterates the commitment to use treated sewage for agriculture and to replenish ground water sources.
“The WSC has launched a pilot project for the further treatment of sewage effluent, which will provide valuable information on the costs involved,” a spokesman for the Resources Ministry said.
Eventually, feasibility studies will be carried out once a particular project emanating from the policy is defined, the spokesman added.
When asked whether the government has changed its policy on the use of treated sewage for agriculture, the spokesman said the option was always under consideration “pending the publication of the draft water policy”.
“Through the draft water policy, government is making a statement of intent that it will be pursuing the treated sewage effluent option further. Government considers treated sewage as being another important step in sustaining our water resources,” the spokesman said.
Former WSC chairman Michael Falzon last week told The Times the problem of distributing treated sewage to farmers was always one of cost since the water would have to be polished to a higher degree and distributed through a pipe network.
“The problem with distributing treated sewage to farmers was always linked to money because water had to be treated to a higher degree. The issue is who should be paying for this additional treatment, consumers through their household bills or farmers who would be using the water,” Mr Falzon had said.
He also pointed out that using treated sewage to rechar-ge depleted aquifers was a good idea and had struck a balance.
“However, if the water would still have to be treated to a higher degree, the issue of cost would arise once again,” Mr Falzon said.